Soviet Union

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information is available to him about the scope and nature of research currently being conducted by the Soviet Union into the development of technologies comparable to the United States strategic defence initiative.

For non-classified information I refer the hon. Member to the 1984 edition of "Soviet Military Power" published by the United States Department of Defence, a copy of which I am placing in the Libray. My Department would broadly endorse what is said in that publication about Soviet research and development that is, or could be, relevent to ballistic missile defence.